Sports
T20 World Cup 2026 breaks records with 500m viewers in India
JioHotstar peak of 60.5m as knockouts promise bigger moments
NEW DELHI: The game’s most explosive international format has delivered its biggest audience yet. The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 has smashed viewership records in India, drawing more than 500 million viewers so far, the highest ever for a T20 World Cup.
The milestone was shared by ICC chairman Jay Shah, who described the numbers as a testament to the tournament’s ambition of becoming the most global and accessible edition to date. As television sets flickered across cities and villages alike, digital screens were equally abuzz. Streaming platform JioHotstar recorded a peak of 60.5 million concurrent viewers, underscoring the sport’s growing digital appetite.
In a post on X, Shah said the tournament began with a clear vision to widen cricket’s footprint and make it more accessible to fans everywhere. Crossing the 500 million mark in India, he noted, was both humbling and historic.
The timing could not be better. With the knockout stage now under way, the competition is poised to intensify on the pitch and on the screen. If early figures are anything to go by, the closing chapters may well rewrite the record books once again.
For a format built on quick thrills and bold strokes, the T20 World Cup is proving that when it comes to fan engagement, it knows how to play the long game too.
Sports
CP Plus named title sponsor of Punjab Kings for IPL 2026
New jersey unveiled in Mohali symbolising performance and innovation.
MUMBAI: CP Plus just powered up Punjab Kings because when your sponsor’s name is on the jersey, even the boundaries start feeling more secure. CP Plus has been announced as the title sponsor of Punjab Kings ahead of IPL 2026, with the partnership unveiled through the launch of the team’s new jersey in Mohali on Friday. The collaboration blends the high-energy spirit of cricket with CP Plus’s focus on precision, reliability and technology-driven innovation.
The jersey serves as a visual symbol of the alliance, reflecting shared values of performance, trust and future-readiness. The association aims to leverage the IPL’s massive platform for deeper consumer engagement, brand salience and regional resonance, particularly in cricket-passionate markets like Punjab.
CP Plus managing director Aditya Khemka said, “This marks the beginning of a meaningful journey for CP Plus. The unveiling of the Punjab Kings jersey is symbolic of a deeper alignment, one that is built on shared ambition, innovation, and the pursuit of excellence.”
Punjab Kings CEO Satish Menon added, “We would like to welcome CP Plus into the Punjab Kings family. It’s our pleasure to be associated with a brand that, like us, values excellence and keeps the consumer at the focus.”
Punjab Kings CCO Saurabh Arora noted, “CP Plus is a brand that people trust and encounter every day, which makes this partnership a seamless integration. Our goal is to build something across the season that delivers genuine consumer impact.”
As Punjab Kings prepare for IPL 2026, the partnership lays the foundation for immersive fan experiences, integrated storytelling and technology-led activations that connect sport, innovation and brand purpose both on and off the field.
In a league where every sponsor wants to stand out, CP Plus isn’t just buying space on a jersey, it’s buying into the heartbeat of a team, proving that when technology meets cricket’s passion, the real winner is the fan who feels the thrill up close.
